TravelStream™ news feed for member meezerman on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/meezerman en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:06:01 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meezerman/12/1259024721/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meezerman/12/1259024721/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/meezerman/12/1259024721/tpod.html Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:06:01 -0500 Two months through Oceania

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Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Not much going on today. Just the bus ride to Auckland and then killing time this afternoon and evening. 1:30 flight on the 25th to Singapore.
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Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand

A long travel day, made longer by some probably unnecessary stops, but whatever. Made it to Tauranga at 4:30 or so. Took the bus to the peninsula to hike Mt. Maunganui. Beautiful views of the ocean and city.
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Napier, North Island, New Zealand

We went through the Mt. Bruce Wildlife preserve earlier today, so I can say that I finally saw the emblem of NZ, the elusive kiwi. I also saw a tuatara, eels, and lots of other NZ birds. Later in the afternoon, I took a 2 hour self guided walk among the art deco buildings of Napier.NZ vacation almost at an end--into Tauranga tomorrow, then Auckland, then Singapore!
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Wellington, North Island, New Zealand

...only because my expectations were that it would be cold, damp, dreary, windy, and miserable--just like last time. Thankfully, the grocery store was right across the street. I procured a TV dinner and whiled away the evening reading and using the Internet.
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Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand

Lots of seals today, both on our drive up and on the long walk I took around the beach. Beautiful city, and nice to finally be back towards warmer weather. Crayfish is the local specialty, but it was too pricy for my budget--$40 for half; $60 for whole at pretty much every restaurant.
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Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand

Okay, there's nothing really to do in Lake Tekapo. On the way up, our busdriver said he likes to have a barbecue there. Everyone interested chipped in $10 on the bus, and he bought $250 worth of groceries. Cooking started at 5; dinner was ready just before 7. Tons of food. Everyone got steak, chicken, veggie sausages, salad, pasta, bread, and cheesecake for dessert. Only problem was a shortage of plates and utensils. We had started breaking out the pans when someone found another stash of shallow bowls to serve as plates. Still had to cut my steak with a butterknife and a spoon. After dinner, we all just hung around chatting until nearly midnight.
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Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand

After having it put off for nearly a week, I finally got my skydive in! It was pretty awesome. I even splurged for the video and photos even though I hadn't originally planned on it. After a midday skydive near Methven, I made it into Christchurch in the early afternoon, where I topped off the excitement of the day by doing my laundry.
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Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

Dunedin is the Edinburgh of the south, with similar weather to boot. Wildlife tour to the peninsula from 3:30 to 9:00. Saw seals, penguins, albatross, etc. Started out nice, rain came in soon. Several hours spent slogging through sheep fields in the pounding rain and cold. But a warm shower that night washed away everything but the memories and pictures.
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Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand

In Queenstown for 3 nights after doing just 1 in pretty much every spot so far. This morning, I took a get boat down the Shotover River followed up by a Canyon Swing. I'm supposed to do my skydive this afternoon, but it's awfully windy out so who knows. Tomorrow is a trip to Milford Sound.
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Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand

Weather looked nice for sky diving this afternoon, but no, too windy I was told. So rebooked for next morning, which looks like a go. Well, who wants to skydive on Friday the 13th anyway? Instead hiked Mount Iron and took a brief stop at the Puzzleworld attraction before retiring for the evening. Off to Queenstown tomorrow.
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